Hua Hin Transport: Songthaew Routes and Getting Around [2026]
Of all the places in Thailand I’ve spent time in, Hua Hin is one of the easier cities to get around, with one condition: it helps to be staying centrally. If you’re based near the beach or town centre, the public songthaew, also known as the baht bus or green bus, will cover most of what you need. Stay further out and you’ll lean more on Grab or Bolt, though both are affordable and reliable here.
If you’re still working out how to get to Hua Hin from Bangkok, we have a separate guide for that. This one covers everything you need to know about getting around once you arrive.
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Getting the lay of the land
Phetkasem Road is the main route through Hua Hin. It runs through town parallel to the beach with numbered sois running off each side. It’s a simple grid and you’ll get the hang of it quickly.
Directions are often given based on a place’s location in comparison to a major site along this road. For example, you might hear “it’s a few sois past Market Village” or “it’s opposite BluPort”. Other landmarks used when describing a location include the night markets, Monkey Mountain, the train station and the airport.
The Songthaew System in Hua Hin
Hua Hin’s public transport system consists of a public songthaew service, also known as the Baht Bus. If you’ve traveled in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket or Samui, you may be familiar with them. The ones in Hua Hin operate on a fixed route, similar to those in Pattaya.
What is a songthaew?
Songthaews are pickup trucks with two benches in the back and a standing board that can hold a few more. There are green ones that service the official route, and private ones that operate like taxis.
Songthaew, pronounced “songteo,” is Thai for two benches.
The Hua Hin Songthaew Route in 2026
Historically, Hua Hin transport consisted of multiple songthaew routes. Since the early 2020s there has been just one.
Khao Takiab – Airport Route (Green Line)
This 12.5km route has two sections:
- The northern line between the airport and the night market
- The southern line runs from the night market to Khao Takiab.
You’ll likely need to change vehicles at the night market to continue further.
The green songthaews run every 15 minutes on average, between 6am and 9pm Monday to Thursday and until 10pm on weekends. In peak season you might wait as little as 10 minutes. In low season it can stretch to 20, and services sometimes finish earlier at night. If you join from one of the starting points, you may need to wait for the vehicle to fill up before it departs.
Fares are 15 baht per leg as at May 2026. If you change vehicles to continue, you pay each driver separately.
It’s worth noting that as of May 2026, Hua Hin City Municipality is in early discussions about expanding public bus routes across the city. The proposal would see routes running north, south, east and west from Hua Hin Railway Station, along with a real-time app for checking schedules. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we’ll update this guide when routes are announced.
How to ride the Songthaew
It can be intimidating at first, but these are really easy to use. Other than the markets and shopping centres, there are no official stops. Just wait by the side of the road and flag them down when you see one approaching.
You don’t need to talk to the driver before you get on unless you are not sure where you are going.
Jump on and grab a seat. The first time I caught one, I had a knee injury and was worried about how hard it might be to get on. There is a step that is a perfect height and makes it really easy. Standing on the back board is popular and perfectly normal, just hold on tight.
Be aware of how much space you are using and move over so as many people as possible can sit. Your bag should be on your lap or under your feet. Women should avoid sitting next to a monk. Usually the men already seated will move so this doesn’t happen.
If the vehicle that stops is already quite full and you prefer not to stand, feel free to wave it on. Lots of people get off at the shopping centres so it might only be standing room for a couple of minutes.
When you are ready to get out, push the button on the roof. You do not need to give the driver much notice; they stop almost immediately.
Walk to the passenger window and pay the driver. Try to have a 20 baht note or coins as drivers don’t always have change.
Be aware of peak times: 11am-1pm and 5-7pm when songthaews get crowded with people heading out to eat. You’ll likely need to stand during these hours. In high season your best bet for a seat is as close to the beginning of the route as possible, or board at one of the malls.
You may notice that sometimes they honk as you are walking along the street. This is a friendly way of checking if you would like to jump on.
Getting a private Songthaew
If you need to go somewhere not covered by the green route, you can approach one of the songthaews you often see outside big condo developments or the malls.
They will often have posters with local sights as suggestions. Tell the driver where you want to go and agree on a price before you get in.
For anywhere outside the green route, a tuk tuk, Grab or Bolt is usually your best bet.
Tuk Tuks
There are not as many tuk tuks in Hua Hin as you see in other parts of Thailand. You’ll find them at night around Soi 80, Bintabaht and near the night markets and malls, particularly after the songthaew service winds down. Always agree on a fare before you get in.
As a rough guide, a tuk tuk from Tamarind Market to the night market near the railway station will set you back around 150 baht and can carry 4 adults comfortably.
I’ll be honest, I usually just open Grab or Bolt at night, but a tuk tuk is a fun experience and may not cost any more if you’re comfortable negotiating.
Motorbike Taxis
You’ll see motorbike taxis around town, identifiable by their orange vests. They’re useful for short trips when traffic is heavy. I haven’t used them personally as my travel insurance doesn’t cover motorbikes, even as a passenger, so I can’t speak to fares or the experience firsthand. Check your own policy before jumping on.
Grab and Bolt in Hua Hin
Grab and Bolt both operate in Hua Hin and between the two you’ll be well covered. Both work the same way and it comes down to personal preference.
Download the app and create an account. Unlike most parts of the world, in Thailand both services give you the option to pay in cash rather than linking a card. Many people choose this to keep their credit card details private. I use a card with a low credit limit instead as I’d rather not have to carry much cash.
When you’re ready to ride, choose your pick-up location and the type of service you want. Options include cars, motorbikes and lady drivers. If your insurance doesn’t cover motorbikes, even as a passenger, stick to the car option.
In central Hua Hin your driver will typically arrive within three to five minutes. If you’re staying further from the centre it can take 10 to 15 minutes, and drivers can be reluctant to travel too far from the main area for a pickup. As a rough guide, a car from Khao Takiab near Monkey Mountain to BluPort Mall will cost around 60-80 baht.
Car Rentals
Renting a car gives you real freedom, especially if you’re planning day trips to places like Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park or further afield.
We’ve rented from two of the big international brands in Hua Hin. Budget, located near the Grand Hotel, is the one we’d go back to without hesitation. The prices were competitive, we could pay by credit card, and when we had a minor accident the claims process was completely seamless. We did nothing except make a call and it was handled from there.
We tried another major international brand and had a poor experience from start to finish, so we’ll be sticking with Budget from here on.
You can compare what’s on offer using an aggregator like Discover Cars if you want to save some time.
When it comes to insurance, we now take the coverage directly from Budget rather than using a third party provider. Based on our experience, it was worth every baht.
For longer stays, monthly rentals from smaller local operators are worth considering. A small car will set you back around 12,000-14,000 baht a month. For personal recommendations, the Facebook group Hua Hin for Beginners is a good place to ask. Members are generous with firsthand referrals.
Motorcycle Rental
You will find motorbikes to rent everywhere you turn, at your hotel or condo, the massage store, and even some restaurants.
Before you commit to anything, make sure you have the correct licence, you are required to have a motobike licence in your home country to ride here.
Also check your travel insurance covers you to ride. Many policies exclude motorbikes entirely, including as a passenger, so check the fine print before you assume you’re covered.
Helmets are compulsory in Thailand and police do run regular roadside checksof licences too. Fines are issued on the spot.
As a rough guide, a friend uses Hua Hin Car Rental on Soi 88 and usually pays around 8,500 baht a month for a 350cc bike. A 160cc bike runs around 1550 baht a week. Monthly rates will vary by operator and bike size so it’s worth shopping around.
We have more general tips on bike rentals included in our article on riding motorbikes in Chiang Mai.
time to get moving
After two years of living in Hua Hin, both with and without a car, I can tell you that where you stay makes a big difference to how you get around. If you’re based near the beach or town centre, the songthaew, Grab and Bolt will cover most of what you need. If you’re further out in areas like Thap Tai, Hin Lek Fai, Khao Tao or Pranburi, your own wheels make life considerably easier.
For trip planning advice, our Facebook group Thailand Awaits is a good starting point. For Hua Hin specific questions, Hua Hin for Beginners has an active community of residents and regulars who are generous with firsthand advice.
If you want more tips or advice for planning your trip, you can join our Facebook group: Thailand Awaits Trip Planning for Beginners. It’s a place to ask questions, get help from other travellers and locals, and find free resources for your Thailand holiday.
